Jacqueline Pearce, Gone at 74

The iconic Blake’s 7 and Doctor Who actress has died of lung cancer, after being diagnosed with the disease only two short weeks ago. After the diagnosis, she opted to be cared for at home rather than go into hospice care at a formal facility.

The actress, best known for playing villain Supreme Commander Servalan in the popular BBC science fiction Blake’s 7 television series, died at her home in Lancashire.

Her friend John Ainsworth of 25 years was with her at the time of her death, and announced the news today.

Commenting on her life and his friendship, he said:

‘She was outrageous, she was very honest and very straightforward, which didn’t always go down very well, but you knew where you were with her. She liked a glass of champagne and liked everyone to have a good time with her, and of course she was a brilliant actress and everyone who worked with her remembered her very fondly.’

Baker, who played the Doctor between 1984 and 1986, reacted to the news on Twitter, saying: ‘Such sad sad news. Lovely Jacqeline Pearce has left us. Sublime actress and lady. Class. Will be much missed.’

Her film roles included White Mischief with John Hurt, How To Get Ahead In Advertising with Richard E Grant and Princess Caraboo with Kevin Kline.

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